“The management and the technical crew are finalising arrangement for the team’s departure immediately after the new year,” reads a statement signed by media officer of the club, Albert Yakup.

“The close camping is necessary as it will afford the technical crew and the players the opportunity to fine-tune strategies ahead of the new season.

“We could not embark on close camping earlier due to some unforseen circumstances beyond our control, but we have used the Ahlan pre-season and the 2017 NPFL Invitational tournaments in Kano to prepare for the new season.”

Plateau united will begin the defence of their title away from home as they take a short trip to Lafia to face neighbours Nasarawa United in a north-central derby on match-day one.